TLDR
- Gemini unveiled an XRP-branded Mastercard through a NYC billboard at 29th & Broadway, announcing an August 25, 2025 launch date
- The card is backed by $75 million from Ripple and Gemini, issued by WebBank to meet U.S. regulatory standards
- Users will be able to spend XRP at millions of Mastercard merchants worldwide with instant conversion to local currency
- The partnership aims to bridge crypto and traditional finance by making XRP usable for everyday transactions
- Analysts expect the card could attract 1 million users in its first year and potentially drive XRP price growth
Gemini announced the launch of an XRP-branded Mastercard through a large billboard campaign in New York City. The billboard, located at the southwest corner of 29th Street and Broadway, displays a black Mastercard issued by WebBank with the date “8.25.25” and the message “Prepare your bags.”
The card represents a partnership between Gemini, Ripple, and WebBank. This collaboration aims to create a compliant financial product that meets U.S. regulatory standards for card issuance.
The XRP Mastercard will allow users to spend their XRP holdings at millions of merchants worldwide that accept Mastercard. The card converts XRP to local currency instantly during transactions, eliminating the need for users to manually exchange their crypto before making purchases.
Ripple and Gemini have committed $75 million to back this initiative. This funding demonstrates the companies’ confidence in the product’s potential for widespread adoption.
The card uses an innovative system that processes transactions in under 5 seconds. Transaction fees are expected to be as low as 1%, which is competitive with traditional payment cards.
For travelers, the card offers advantages over traditional currency exchange methods. Users can load XRP into the Gemini app and use the card internationally without dealing with currency exchange counters or high ATM fees.
The partnership extends beyond just the card launch. Ripple is providing a credit line to fund Gemini’s upcoming Initial Public Offering, strengthening the business relationship between the companies.
Market Impact and User Adoption
Testing in select markets has already begun, showing promising results for transaction speed and cost efficiency. The card has processed payments successfully across different merchant types and geographic regions.
Industry analysts predict the card could attract 1 million users within its first year of operation. This projection is based on the combined user bases of Gemini and Ripple’s existing services.
XRP currently trades at $2.86 with a market capitalization of approximately $170 billion. Daily trading volumes remain strong at $2 billion despite recent market fluctuations.
The global remittance market, valued at over $800 billion, represents a key target market for XRP adoption. Ripple already processes billions of dollars in cross-border transactions through its existing network.
Technical Infrastructure and Regulatory Compliance
WebBank’s involvement ensures the card meets all necessary banking regulations in the United States. This regulatory compliance is essential for consumer protection and widespread merchant acceptance.
The card leverages Mastercard’s network of 100 million merchants globally. This extensive reach provides immediate utility for XRP holders without requiring additional merchant onboarding.
Gemini will provide secure custody services for user funds. The exchange’s regulatory compliance and security infrastructure support the card’s consumer protection features.
The system includes built-in safeguards against volatility through instant conversion mechanisms. Users can spend their XRP without exposure to price fluctuations during the transaction process.
The August 25 launch date marks a planned expansion of XRP’s utility beyond traditional crypto trading. Previous testing phases have validated the technical infrastructure needed for large-scale deployment.
